dive centres in phuket for myanmar

[funscuba]

Does all the dive centres in phuket organize safari diving to myanmar, (mergui, burma banks etc...) or only a few specialized ones ?
Any recommendations from where to start, I mean is phuket the closest place to find these trips or is there an other city closer to myanmar ?

 

[OnTheSpot]

Hi,
Most boats depart from either Phuket or Khao Lak. Some depart from Ranong but it is a bit more difficult to get to.
Its easy to fly to Phuket Airport before and after your departure.
There are only a few boats that make the trip to Burma - here is an idea Bruma liveaboards.
When did you plan to join the cruise?

 

[stevenl]

Most of the boats will depart from Ranong, but transfers from Phuket will be included.

Personally i would recommend you to make a trip to the Similans in stead of Burma/Mergui, see also this thread.

 

[funscuba]

I was already in similan in january but not in Richelieu that I didn't have the time to do. Will do it probably from february, then I was also thinking about myanmar, but it seems out of price, isn't it ?
Are the boats doing all the dive spots in once in myanmar or only a part of it ? Which ones would you recommend ?
I am not looking for the most luxury one as I am a travelling as a backpacker, so cheapest one if possible as I might be alone. Any recommended price ?
Otherwise I just checked the prices of http://www.divetheworldliveaboards.com/tp/liveaboard-burma-mermaid-i-prices.php, seriously, aren't they exaggerated a bit ? I spend 3 weeks - 1 month in the maldives for that price.

Are these the only 3 options to get to myanmar, and which one would be the best ? Are all the tour operators doing the same trip ?

Andaman Island
- Passage Island, Invisible Banks, Barren Island and Narcondam Island

Sth Burma/Similan
- Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Burma Banks and South Mergui Archipelago

Sth Burma/Similan Safari
- Similan/Surin Island and Richelieu Rock, Burma Banks and South Mergui Archipelago

 

[mase]

Take a look at a-one-diving.com out of Ranong. Ranong is located on the Thai/Myanmar border.

 

[stevenl]

Cheapest option for Burma trips from Phuket: check this boat.

 

[funscuba]

Thanks for that, but well, seems that they are all overpriced in my opinion.

 

[mase]

Thanks for that, but well, seems that they are all out overpriced in my opinion.

Agree. The wonderful Military junta in Myanmar (Burma) makes things difficult. In any case I have heard from several people that have done the Burma trip that it's no better then the Similan, Koh Bon , Koh Tachi , Richelieu Rock trip, which I have done several times and never get tired of.

 

[stevenl]

Thanks for that, but well, seems that they are all out overpriced in my opinion.

I don't think the boats are overpriced, the distance require4s lots of gasoline on these trips. What also adds of course is the 200 US$ 'entrance fee' to Burma.

As mentioned earlier, I would not recommend a Burma trip at the moment.

 

[funscuba]

I don't think the boats are overpriced, the distance require4s lots of gasoline on these trips. What also adds of course is the 200 US$ 'entrance fee' to Burma.

As mentioned earlier, I would not recommend a Burma trip at the moment.

Cmon, I don't think that the petrol is expensive in these countries, we're not in Europe.
So do you think that going to myanmar is not worth it or is it a good destination to see a lot of big stuff ?